The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests that certain types of commercial carriers obtain operating authority. Generally, carriers that operate for hire, transport passengers, or transport commodities regulated by the federal government must apply for operating authority, also known as an MC, FF, or MX depending on the type of authority granted by the FMCSA. Those who require truck operating authority may apply for one or more of the types described below.
Categories of truck operating authority
The FMCSA grants operating authority in the following categories:
- Broker of Household Goods: Any organization that receives revenue for transporting household goods belonging to others qualifies for this category. In addition to transporting the goods, the company will need operating authority if it offers either binding or non-binding estimates, protective packing services and/or unpacking services, inventory of items, or loading and unloading services.
- Broker of Property: This category covers the delivery of personal property belonging to others that doesn’t fit the description of household goods. As with household goods, the broker doesn’t take possession of the property and assumes no responsibility for it.
- Motor Carrier of Household Goods: This category typically describes professional moving companies. Carriers with this operating authority can only transport goods that people use in their own private homes. This can include items the customer purchased from a store or factory and requested that the motor carrier deliver to them at home.
- Motor Carrier of Property: Operating authority under this category includes all regulated commodities except for household goods. The carrier must file proof of liability in the form of bodily injury and property damage with the FMCSA.
- United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Household Goods: Any company that transports household goods internationally but has base operations in the United States with a greater than 55 percent ownership by a resident alien or Mexican citizen must apply for this type of operating authority. All international household goods under this authority must originate in a country outside of the United States or have a destination in a foreign country.
- United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Cargo Except Household Goods: This category has the same requirements as the category above except that it refers to any regulated commodity not classified as household goods.
While the above six categories are the most common types of truck operating authority, it also grants five other types. These include Freight Forwarder Authority, Mexico-based carriers for Motor Carrier Authority to Operate Beyond United States Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the United States/Mexico Border, Mexican Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers Under 49 U.S.C. 13902, Motor Carrier Passenger Authority, and Non-North America-Domiciled Motor Carriers.
Make sure you have the right type of truck insurance
You have many regulations to keep track of as a commercial driver or motor carrier, and it’s also important to pay attention to your insurance. Feel free to check out our website to learn more about the options available to you. You can also receive truck insurance quotes and compare them against your current coverage to see if you’re receiving the best possible rate. To get in touch with our team of transportation insurance agents , fill out our online form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.
Source:
https://ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/245
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/types-operating-authority